Swiss band Cave Wolves have fused hard rock, post-grunge, punk and metal influences into a roaring and snarling sound that they describe as “high energy rock’n’roll.”
The trio of Anthony (guitar and vocals), Javier (bass and backing vocals) and Parik (drums and backing vocals) hail from Geneva, in the French-speaking area of Switzerland. They formed in 2019 out of a shared love of rock music and its various sub-genres and a desire to play on stage as often as possible.
And on the sound they’ve honed since, they tell us: “There’s a common thread between all the songs: a particular care given to melodies and harmonies, energetic rhythms, dynamic structures and catchy choruses.”
We chatted to the band ahead of their debut album Detention Empire, which Javier describes as their “most serious project yet.” The album was released in December and Anthony tells us: “We have been preparing for this for so long so we are very excited to release it. It was a long process: we went into the studio last year and when the recording and mixing part was completed after several months, we started to work on the artwork.”
And Parik adds: “With Detention Empire, we explore all the sub-genres of rock music. The listener will be carried between pop-punk rhythms and wild solos, but also sweet ballads and powerful yet groovy basslines.”
Anthony picks out penultimate track Vendetta as his favourite track on the album. It kicks off with a cool spinning riff that feeds into a heavier section as chunkier guitars and drums join in. Stabbing guitars give way to a more laid-back verse led by engaging vocals that build up to a powerful chorus with heavy vocals supported by a delicious driving riff. A second chorus ends with a funky little solo before a lively outro.
And Anthony says: “It’s about my people, the tribesmen of the northern Philippines. But at the same time, the lyrics depict human behaviours in general.” Check it out in a studio playthrough video here:
While Parik singles out the album’s final track Thorns, which starts out with a light guitar lick that develops with moody instrumentals under impassioned vocals. A huge drum roll sees the track suddenly pick up pace with lively multiple vocals driven along by stabbing guitar chords. It develops into a delicious guitar solo, which flows into big “woh-oh” vocals that tee up a huge conclusion to the album. On the track, Parik adds: “It’s a blend of all the rock sub-genres we love to play. It represents us as a band the best.” Check it out here:
The album is packed with delicious rock bangers, including the excellent No Way Out. It also features the lively opening track Escape, which starts out with a cool lick and driving drums that give way to a fun spinning riff before engaging vocals and catchy choruses.
But a personal favourite is Heatwave, which starts out with a filthy riff that drops into a verse featuring layered vocals. It bursts into life with another huge riff and a chorus that drops into a verse supported by a chunky little bassline and high-pitched guitars. Check it out here:
Cave Wolves are heavily influenced by bands like Audioslave, Foo Fighters, Pantera, Queen, Green Day, System of a Down, Black Sabbath and Muse.
And what inspires them to write music, they explain: “We mostly write about daily life matters. Detention Empire depicts society’s drifts and excesses on an individual level, highlighting the general lack of hope for a better future.”
There’s plenty more to come from the band in 2023, including playing lots of gigs, especially outside of Geneva, and hopefully a first music video in the offing. And they add: “We like craft beer, cheers!”
You can follow Cave Wolves on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Deezer and YouTube.
GigRadar 